Training classes teach you how to best communicate with your puppy. Organized training classes also provide
an opportunity for your dog to socialize with other dogs. In classes aimed at earning the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy
distinction, you’ll be able to get information on all of your puppy-raising questions including housetraining,
chewing, and the most effective way to teach practical skills such as coming when called. AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy
training is a natural lead in to the AKC® Canine Good Citizen® Program.

How It Works

You and your puppy will attend our 8 week S.T.A.R. puppy training class,
taught by our AKC licensed Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. (Your puppy
needs to be one year of age or less in order to qualify for the S.T.A.R. Puppy
training class and test). At the completion of the class, your instructor will
administer the S.T.A.R. Puppy Test. Your instructor is not able to help you
through the test, so you will want to get all questions answered before the
test starts.

The S.T.A.R. Puppy program and test is available to both pure bred and mixed
breed puppies. Upon successful completion of the test, you will receive an
application to send to the AKC for enrollment in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy
program.

Your puppy will receive the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Medal (for display or
memento purposes; not suitable as a collar tag). You and your puppy will be
listed in the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy records. In addition, so that you can
continue learning, you’ll receive the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy package that
includes:

A key component of the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program is a responsible owner. AKC's Canine Good Citizen
Responsible Dog Owner’s Pledge is for the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy Program too. Responsibility should start the
moment you decide to add a new dog or puppy to your family.

AKC CGC Responsible Dog Owner’s Pledge

I will be responsible for my dog’s health needs. These include:

routine veterinary care including check-ups and vaccines
adequate nutrition through proper diet; clean water at all times
daily exercise and regular bathing and grooming
I will be responsible for my dog’s safety.

I will properly control my dog by providing fencing where appropriate, not letting my dog run loose, and using a
leash in public.
I will ensure that my dog has some form of identification when appropriate (which may include collar tags, tattoos,
or microchip ID).
I will provide adequate supervision when my dog and children are together.
I will not allow my dog to infringe on the rights of others.

I will not allow my dog to run loose in the neighborhood.
I will not allow my dog to be a nuisance to others by barking while in the yard, in a hotel room, etc.
I will pick up and properly dispose of my dog’s waste in all public areas such as on the grounds of hotels, on
sidewalks, parks, etc.
I will pick up and properly dispose of my dog’s waste in wilderness areas, on hiking trails, campgrounds and in
off-leash parks.
I will be responsible for my dog’s quality of life.

I understand that basic training is beneficial to all dogs.
I will give my dog attention and playtime.
I understand that owning a dog is a commitment in time and caring.
20 STEPS To Success: The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppysm Test

7. Free of aggression toward people during at least 6 weeks of class
8. Free of aggression toward other puppies in class
9. Tolerates collar or body harness of owner’s choice
10. Owner can hug or hold puppy (depending on size)
11. Puppy allows owner to take away a treat or toy

PRE-CANINE GOOD CITIZEN® TEST BEHAVIORS:

12. Allows (in any position) petting by a person other than the owner
13. Grooming-Allows owner handling and brief exam (ears, feet)
14. Walks on a Leash-Follows owner on lead in a straight line (15 steps)
15. Walks by other people-Walks on leash past other people 5-ft away
16. Sits on command-Owner may use a food lure
17. Down on command-Owner may use a food lure
18. Comes to owner from 5-ft when name is called
19. Reaction to Distractions-distractions are presented 15-ft away
20. Stay on leash with another person (owner walks 10 steps and returns)

The AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy is an exciting new program designed to
get dog owners and their puppies off to a good start. The AKC
S.T.A.R. Puppy Program is an incentive program for loving dog
owners who have taken the time to take their puppies through a
basic training class.